Zion is one of the best NPS properties IMO, and Bryce is an incredible

"drive-through" park where you can really see all the glory of the amphitheater just by parking and walking to the edge. Although we took a morning and just did a small hike down into the hoodoos. We did both the North and South Rim when I went, and hiked through Canyon, but it's hard to hit both rims, it's a long way around.

North Rim far less commercialized, more rustic, and in my opinion, I liked it more than the tour-bus-infested South Rim. It's also about 2k feet higher in elevation, so nicer weather when we were there in summer (low 40s at night though). The South Rim does have some of the more iconic viewpoints (and one of only places in NPS you can see the river cutting through), bigger visitor center and museum, and more facilities.

In Zion, I'd take at least a few days. Hike to Angels Landing on day 1, hit the Zion Narrows and at least walk up as far as 'Wall Street' on day 2. Day 3 we did a long Zion traverse hike, but you can also do just a side hike up to Observation Point. Zion is one of the best managed Parks in the system; the parking and bus program is incredibly easy, the viewpoints are accessible, trails are well maintained. Just really a jewel; one of my favorite parks.

If coming in through Vegas and hitting the North Rim, Zion, Bryce, I'd absolutely tack on Death Valley. It's a day trip from Vegas and you can hit Badwater Basin, Devils Golf Course, Artists Palette, Zabriskie Point, and most of the highlights in the day. Death Valley one of the more surprising parks; didn't expect much for a harsh environment and desert, but then it surprises with it's beauty, landscapes, and even color.

May even consider a hike into the mouth of Buckskin Gulch to the confluence. Nice one-day intro to slot canyons, nothing technical, and you can see incredible petroglyphs at the confluence.

We stayed at various places in our trek, including camping in Zion, camping on North Rim, hotels in Kanab UT, Page AZ, and Lake Powell. There's plenty of accommodations, including non-chain hotels, just outside park in many places, or in a central location like Kanab, which was our home base for Buckskin Gulch and some slot canyon hiking.

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